Election help needed in Saskatoon, Melville, Moose Jaw

REGINA With mere days to go before Monday's provincial election, polling stations in certain areas of the province are still in need of workers.

During a conference call on Thursday, chief electoral officer Michael Boda said Elections Saskatchewan is not facing a dire shortage of workers, but could use more.

“We have constituencies that absolutely still need workers and we're trying to do recruitment,” he said.

Boda said Saskatoon in particular is in need of workers, as well as Melville and Moose Jaw. He said the number of filled positions is not below 50 per cent in any constituency, but is closer to 80 per cent. Elections Saskatchewan prefers staffing beyond 100 per cent in case some workers are not able to show up on election day. In 2016, approximately 300 workers in Regina were out sick with the flu.

Boda also noted that thanks to new legislation, people between the ages of 16 and 18 can now be hired as election workers.

“It's an opportunity to understand the democratic process, get involved and you get paid for the process, so we would really encourage that,” he said.

Boda broke down how the voting process will work on election night, and in the weeks afterwards.

The first preliminary tally will consist of counting ballots cast on election day, during advance voting and at personal care facilities.

Elections Saskatchewan has reported that 43,409 votes were cast at polling stations on the second day of advance voting, bringing the total number of

It's an opportunity to understand the democratic process, get involved and you get paid for the process.

advance ballots cast to 84,936.

There have been 21,000 mailin ballots received by Elections Saskatchewan, and 61,412 voters have been approved to vote by mail. By comparison, the 2016 provincial election saw just 4,420 mail-in ballots cast. Boda said mail-in voting has typically been made up of students or snowbirds.

The second preliminary count will begin on Oct. 28. Ballots counted here will be mail-in ballots, which will still be counted up until Nov. 5. The final count of ballots will be on Nov. 7.

Boda said the second preliminary count will prioritize constituencies with tight races and where there may be enough mail-in ballots to potentially flip the seat from one party to another.

When asked why masks are only recommended instead of being required at polling stations, Boda said Elections Saskatchewan has been following guidance from the chief medical health officer. Boda also said that if a certain facility where a polling station is located does require masks, they would in turn be required at that location.

Boda gave assurances that COVID-19 precautions are being taken.

Due to social distancing guidelines, there are 2,000 polling locations compared to the 1,100 in the 2016 election. Election workers will also be required to wear masks.

“We have worked together with the chief medical health officer to ensure that everything's in place. This is just as safe as going to your local grocery store,” said Boda.